This holiday season, the Lincoln Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across the nation by participating in the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." enforcement campaign in an effort to help save lives. This special holiday enforcement is scheduled from Saturday, November 30, 2013, through Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Officers will patrol throughout the city, focusing on high volume traffic areas.

The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety is providing funding for additional officers to arrest impaired drivers from our roadways during the peak hours for alcohol consumption. The grant-funded enforcement will be conducted Friday and Saturday nights, 9 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Last year, the Lincoln Police Department investigated 8,085 accidents, 280 of which were alcohol related.

There are three simple steps citizens can take to stay safe:

Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home. Even one too many drinks increases the risk of an accident while driving a motor vehicle.

If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi or call a sober friend or family member.

Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone's life, and inaction could cost a life.